The Organic Beer Fest promotes sustainable living in Portland

With the motto "Drink Organic, Save the Planet – One Beer at a Time!," The 12th annual Organic Beer Fest strives to raise awareness about sustainable living and organic beer. During this earth-friendly event, food vendors are required to employ sustainable practices. Those volunteering get organic cotton t-shirts, onsite recycling stations handle festival waste, festival attendees sample beer from a compostable and reusable cornstarch cup made from corn grown in the US by a solar-powered zero-waste company.

Food truck at 2014 festival | Source

Organic Labeling Guidelines

For this festival, the Oregon Tilth labeling guidelines are applied to those beers being served. These guidelines are as follows: “100% Organic” means the product contains 100% organically produced ingredients. Any processing aids used must be organic; “Organic” means the product uses at least 95% organic ingredients; and “Made with Organic Ingredients” means the product contains at least 70% organic ingredients. These percentages exclude added water and salt.

Organic Beer Fest 2016

This year's festival will take place August 25 through 28 at Overlook Park (1599 N Fremont St) in Portland. Event hours are Noon to 9pm Thursday through Saturday and Noon to 5pm Sunday.

During this event 55 organic beers, meads and ciders from more than 40 breweries will be served. Participants can sample a range of brews ranging from the traditional beers such as Belgians and IPAs to more unique offerings like a golden hemp shandy and an ale made using wild grown Chaga mushrooms. Most of the products served are 95% organic with the organic percentage of each product listed in the complimentary program to assist attendees in knowing the exact contents of the products they're sampling.

Also, this family-friendly event will feature food and sustainability-oriented vendors along with live local music. A kids' area will serve complimentary Crater Lake Soda for minors and designated driver along with art activities and face painting.

While admission to this festival is free, those wishing to sample the festival's alcoholic wares much purchase a $7 reusable, compostable cornstarch cup and tokens which cost $1 each. Most samples are $1 per taste with some select beers and ciders costing additional tokens.

Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation by using the MAX Light Rail Yellow Line Overlook Station which is adjacent to the festival. Also, cyclists can park their bikes for free at the Hopworks Bike Corral. Those who have a validated Tri-Met ticket or a ticket from the Hopworks Bike Corral get one additional drink token (one discount per person).